Ever since its release in July 2017,Snowfallhas consistently been one of the most popular TV shows on FX. Often regarded as one of the best-written crime drama series, the show scopes into the crack epidemic of the 80s, and the rise of the illegal drug trade in the black community, at a time when they were severely persecuted. Co-created byDave Andron,Eric Amadio, and the lateJohn Singleton, the series has constantly delivered one indulging storyline after another, and Season 5 picks up where things left off with the Season 4 finale last year.
Season 4 saw the show’s main protagonist Franklin Saint (Damson Idris) dealing with a dispute in the family, while the other leads, Teddy McDonald (Carter Hudson) is forced to make a difficult decision and Gustavo ‘El Oso’ Zapata (Sergio Peris-Mencheta) sets out on a new journey.
SnowfallSeason 5 premiered on February 23 arriving on both Hulu and FX. Let’s have a look at the big players on the show and the talented actors who play them.
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Damson Idris as Franklin Saint
Franklin Saint has a lot to do in Season 5 ofSnowfall. Being the major focus of the show, the anti-hero has been through a lot in his pursuit to establish his own crack empire. Portrayed by the British actorDamson Idris, the character will be facing one of the biggest fights for survival on the show yet, as evident from the trailer. He is still trying to cope with the break in the family, as witnessed in the Season 4 finale, while battling a more relentless LAPD and new rivals as he stares into the horizon.
Carter Hudson as Teddy McDonald
Teddy (Reed) McDonald’s story is another focal point of the show, and the character represents the role government agencies often play in the spread of illegal businesses. Teddy is an undercover CIA officer, played by Carter Hudson, helping the government to fund the war against communism in Central America. He is one of the major driving forces behind Franklin, motivating him to grow his drug empire. The character leaves the audience with a major cliffhanger at the end of Season 4, when he is seen following Franklin’s parents to Cuba to kill Franklin’s dad, Alton. Though it is not shown whether he actually performs the deed, it is heavily implied as the episode ends that he did kill Alton.
Isaiah John as Leon Simmons
Franklin Saint’s best friend and right-hand man, Leon Simmons is his closest and most trusted ally. He has often considered Leon as family, protecting him from the likes of police and other gang members. Played byIsaiah John, Simmons has always been by Franklin’s side and considers himself to be the “wise-guy” in the group, though Franklin clearly doesn’t think so. Though he has had some minor disagreements with his best bud in the past, Leon has always had his back, and was seen preparing for the ominous war to come in Season 5, packed with guns, bombs, and bazookas!
Sergio Peris-Mencheta as Gustavo ‘El Oso’ Zapata
The Luchador turned enforcer turned smuggler Gustavo ‘El Oso’ Zapata is another focal character of the show, and his life has only turned into a bloodier shade since the end of his wrestling days. From a petty enforcer to a partner to the crime boss of a major family, Gustavo has come a long way. Played by Spanish actorSergio Peris-Mencheta, Gustavo likes to mind his own business, and doesn’t even care when the CIA informs him of Teddy’s replacement.
Amin Joseph as Jerome Saint
Jerome Saint is the man who showed Franklin what it’s like to be in the business. As his uncle, he initially discourages Franklin’s illegal endeavors, but once he sees his nephew’s potential, Jerome introduces him to the lucrative but dangerous crack business. Jerome and his wife, Louie, join Franklin and help him set up his own business empire, forming two of the big heads of the “Family”. Played byAmin Joseph, Jerome Saint seemed to be always on Franklin’s side, but by the end of Season 4, greed and ego take over him, and along with his wife, he decides to part ways with Franklin, setting up their own establishment.
Angela Lewis as Louise Saint
Jerome’s wife and partner in crime, Louise Saint, affectionately called Aunt Louie, is actively involved in the illegal drug trade alongside her husband, and hernephewFranklin. Aunt Louie is played byAngela Lewis, and the character has been aiding her husband and her nephew in the building of the mega empire by acting as the main negotiator with major clients. Her nightclub often serves as a front, though very much like Jerome, she has her own dreams of owning her own business, and by the end of Season 4 we see her and her husband part ways with Franklin to do the same.
Michael Hyatt as Cissy Saint
Franklin’s mother, Cissy Saint, played byMichael Hyatt, was a good-natured woman, and never approved of her son’s illicit activities. She was separated from her husband and Franklin’s father, Alton Williams, due to the latter’s extremist tendencies. She never accepted a dime of her son’s drug money, even after losing her job and nearly losing her house. However, she did enter the real estate business at Franklin’s behest, but things didn’t end well for the family. After the events of Season 4, she and Alton had to flee to Cuba, where tragedy awaited them.
Kevin Carroll as Alton Williams
A former Black Panther member, Alton Williams, played byKevin Carroll, is Franklin’s dad, whose psychotic behavior drove a wedge between him and his family. His activities led him to be separated from his family for several years until a police crackdown lands him in a hospital. His wife and Franklin’s mother, Cissy, takes him back after the incident, and he begins to lead a better life. However, when he knows of his son’s involvement in the illegal drug business, his long-dormant feelings against the government reawaken, and he goes public on a local radio station about it, blaming the CIA for his son’s downfall. His actions lead Teddy to go after him, even after Franklin and his mother beg the undercover officer to spare him.
Emily Rios as Lucia Villanueva
Gustavo’s former partner and the head of the Villanuevacrime family, Lucia Villanueva, portrayed byEmily Rios, mysteriously disappeared after Season 2. A brief scene in the Season 4 finale hinted about her current location, however, it is yet to be seen if Gustavo will willingly go after her.
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Alon Aboutboul as Avi Drexler
AnySnowfallfan will know, Franklin wouldn’t be the man he is now if not for Avi Drexler.Alon Aboutboul’s portrayal of the Israeli druglord greatly impressed the audience, and he is back for more in Season 5. However, with Franklin’s family slowly drifting apart, would he still remain a friend, or foe?
